Austrian Grand Prix – Disaster for Esteban Ocon
Qualified at the bottom of the pack, Esteban Ocon paid a heavy price with a regrettable accident on the first lap.
Lacking pace since the Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, Esteban Ocon could not find a solution this weekend and could not do better than 17th in qualifying. A disappointing performance given the performance of his two-time world champion teammate who easily qualified in Q2.
Therefore starting 17th on the grid, the chances of fighting for points were going to be slim since he would have to fight in traffic. A chance that the Alpine driver never had. It is at the 3rd turn of the first lap of the race that the Normandy driver finds himself sandwiched between Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo and Mick Schumacher’s Haas. In a tight turn like this, contact is inevitable and Ocon’s front suspension breaks upon impact.
(I) I think it is the consequences of going so far. It’s a racing incident, that’s how it is. The only thing I could have done is brake earlier but I would have then lost all my positions. It’s a very small touch that has a lot of consequences.
We will forget these two weekends and come back stronger in Silverstone. We cannot be less competitive than in Austria, so I will start from scratch and turn the page.
After a very promising start to the season with four consecutive points finishes, the Normand is now having a string of poor races outside the points with two retirements in particular.
